Sunday Telegraph GK833

[Lipsiot]

10A Powerlessness (5-2)
I'm assuming this is DOWNA-DO?
With apologies to our Scottish friends this is a bit obscure is it not? I've never heard it used outside of Burns poetry - or is it in common usage in Scotland?

[yapisle]

10a) Downa-do

Cahmbers -

from the scottish 'dow'

3rd person singular 'dow' or 'dows',

pat 'docht', 'dought' (or 'dowed')

meaning 'to be good for a person; to avail; to be able
{OE 'dugan'}

'downa' ( negative) means cannot; cannot be bothered

'downa-do' means powerlessness

[Lipsiot]

Thanks yapisle - I know it's in Chambers, but wondered if it is in common usage. As I said, I've never heard it used outside of Burns.